The membership of FEWA-AIMRA has voted to change the association’s name to the Equipment Marketing & Distribution Assn. (EMDA). The change became effective November 7, 2009.

The announcement was made by the president of the FEWA-AIMRA board of directors Joseph Jandrisch, president of aemsco, Inc., Minot, N.D., during the association’s annual meeting held November 4–7 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.

“Our goal was to create a new identity that conveys what this association is all about,” said Dan Peterson, president of Peterson Marketing Inc., Sioux Falls, S.D., and newly-elected EMDA president.

The process to change the name began one year ago with approval of a consolidation of the Farm Equipment Wholesalers Assn. (FEWA) and the Agricultural & Industrial Manufacturers Representatives Assn. (AIMRA). The two groups merged to form the leading association devoted to the marketing of specialized equipment. The new association operated as “FEWA-AIMRA” while names were developed and reviewed over the past year. More than 50 names were suggested by the membership, and the submitter of the winning entry will receive one complimentary registration for the Association’s 2010 Fall Convention next year in Dallas.

The Association’s logo also underwent scrutiny with more than one dozen options reviewed. Feedback from the membership clearly showed a preference for a logo which used parts of the former FEWA and AIMRA logos.

With the development of a new name and logo completed, the branding process next focuses on creating the Association’s online presence with a new domain name and updated web site. While that process continues, information about EMDA will be available at www.FEWA-AIMRA.org.

EMDA Elects New Board Members

Newly elected officers and directors of the Equipment Marketing & Distribution Assn. (EMDA) for 2009-2010 were also elected during the group’s annual meeting in Atlanta. They include: Joe Jandrisch, aemsco Inc., Minot, N.D., Treasurer and immediate past president; Dan Peterson, Peterson Marketing Inc., Sioux Falls, S.D., president; Robert Emhoff, Gearmore Inc., Chino, Calif., first vice president; Marcus Kimball, Pete Kimball Sales, Lake St. Louis, Mo., second vice president; John Fonda, John Day Co., Omaha, Neb., secretary; and Ted Traeder, Traeder Enterprises Inc., Hillsboro, Wis., director.

The board will supervise administration of membership services to EMDA’s member firms, located throughout the U.S. and Canada, who wholesale farm equipment and related power equipment products to retail dealers. EMDA’s headquarters is located in Iowa City, Iowa.